The internal combustion process that goes on inside your engine creates incredibly high temperatures, so cooling is needed to keep everything from overheating. This is where your car’s radiator and coolant come into play.

Coolant, or anti-freeze, is the bright green fluid that sits in a reservoir under your car’s hood. When your engine is running, it is pumped through the engine to absorb some of the heat. The coolant then leaves the engine and runs through a hose to the radiator. The radiator is made up of long, narrow tubes with cooling fins that take the heat away from the coolant as air enters the front grille and helps the radiator fins stay cool enough to continue absorbing heat. The coolant, now at a lower temperature again, heads back toward the engine to repeat the process.

Make sure that your engine never overheats by keeping up with radiator maintenance. Dekalb Tire and Automotive Repair has served drivers in the Atlanta area with top-notch repairs and maintenance since 1965. To learn more about our family-owned business or find a location near you, contact us online or at (404) 252-9895.

Some cars and trucks are just built to last, and many cars will run for decades if properly cared for. If you’ve kept a car on the road for long enough to see some seriously high numbers on the odometer, then it may be time for you to start giving that car a little extra care. Read on to learn how to keep your aging car from needing expensive automotive repairs.

Replace consumable parts before you need to

Every car has a few components that are not designed to last as long as the car itself, so these must be replaced from time to time. Belts and hoses fit this description, and both play crucial roles under the hood. If you are not sure how long you have had the same set of belts or hoses, it is best to replace them before something goes wrong. Cracked coolant hoses could lead to overheating in the middle of nowhere, and a belt failure could cause irreparable engine damage.

Drain and refill fluids regularly

Good, clean fluids help your car run efficiently. To minimize stress on your car’s engine components, make sure that you change the oil regularly. Flushing old coolant and adding a fresh refill will reduce the risk of corrosion and ensure that your cooling system can do its job. Brake fluid can collect moisture over the years, so make sure that yours is in good condition before hitting the road.

Find a good mechanic

You may be able to perform some maintenance on your own vehicle, but there is no substitute for professional care. An older car needs all the help it can get, so find a mechanic who is familiar with your car’s make and model. Visiting a good auto repair shop regularly will allow you to catch small problems before they put your car out of commission, and will even prevent some problems entirely.

To ensure that your high-mileage vehicle stays on the road for many more years and many more miles, visit Dekalb Tire and Automotive Repair. You can schedule a service appointment at one of our many Atlanta-area locations by calling (404) 252-9895.

Fluid leaks are something that just about every driver has experienced at some point. Oil leaks are common in older cars, but many fluids can leave a spot under your car.

In this video, car care expert Lauren Fix shows you how to identify a variety of fluid leaks. By placing a sheet of cardboard under your car while it is parked overnight, you can catch a sample of your leaking fluid. Watch the video to learn about the different colors, textures, and smells of your car’s fluids.

If your car is dripping onto your parking spot, bring it to an expert mechanic right away. Dekalb Tire and Automotive Repair offers a long list of maintenance and repair services in the Atlanta area. Call us at (404) 252-9895 to schedule a service appointment today.

Your battery allows you to start your car with an electric ignition, but did you know that it’s not really used so much once the car is running? What charges the battery after each ignition and provides electrical power for your various lights and accessories? That important piece of your vehicle would be the alternator. Here is a quick guide to recognizing trouble with your alternator:

Dim Headlights

One simple way to spot alternator trouble is the dimming of your headlights. As mentioned before, it is not the battery that powers your lights on the road, but your alternator. If your alternator is not creating enough power, your lights will not get the voltage they need to run at their full capacity. This can also be seen in the dimming of the lights in your instrument cluster.

Warning Lights

In some modern vehicles, an indicator light in the instrument cluster—which your alternator powers—will illuminate and tell you when something is wrong. If you see a light on your dash that says “ALT” or “GEN,” you should have an automotive repair technician check out the problem right away, just as you would for a Check Engine Light or any other warning.

Dead Battery

When your battery dies, it could be the result of accidentally leaving a light on in the car all night, or it could be that your battery has finally reached the end of its usable life. What many people don’t realize, however, is that the issue could be with the alternator. When your car does draw energy from the battery, it draws quite heavily. The battery needs to be recharged by a working alternator every time you drive.

If your car is not starting or you are experiencing other electrical issues, head to Dekalb Tire and Automotive Repair. You can visit our locations in Smyrna, Sandy Springs, Buckhead, and Cumming. Serving the area since 1965, we are a family-owned business dedicated to treating people the way we like to be treated. To learn more about our hours and services, contact us online or at (404) 252-9895.

Modern cars are equipped with state-of-the-art computers that control many of the vital parts of the engine and exhaust system. When your check engine light is illuminated, this is an indication that your car’s sensors have detected an error somewhere in the computer. At an auto repair facility, your technician can use computerized diagnostics to pinpoint the precise problem with your car’s computer. Using a specialized diagnostic sensor, a mechanic can read and translate the error message from the computer. Once the problem has been determined, your mechanic can recommend the proper repairs.

If your check engine light is on, do not hesitate to contact Dekalb Tire by calling (404) 252-9895. The highly skilled technicians at our Smyrna auto repair center and tire store can get you back on the road in no time. We look forward to assisting you with all of your auto repair and tire care needs.